US Postal Service may keep rural offices

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(WTVR) - The cash-strapped US Postal Service says it may be able to keep thousands of rural post offices open.

The agency says by cutting back on hours of operation, they will now be able to keep open thousands of post offices that were in jeopardy of closing.

Speaking at a news conference in Washington Wednesday, US Postal Service CEO Megan Brennan says the agency is backing off its plan to close 3,700 post offices after May 15.

She says after folks in many rural communities voiced concern about the closings, they revised their plan.

"We heard it loud and clear," said Brennan. "Our customers are concerned about losing their community identity if their post office were to close."

Under the new plan, communities will get the option to keep their post office with reduced hours or choosing a so-called village post office where postal services are offered from libraries or local stores.